The FBI arrested Rony Denis, leader of the House of Prayer Christian Churches of America, at his $2 million Georgia mansion for allegedly defrauding veterans of millions in education benefits.
According to the Daily Mail, Denis and seven co-defendants are accused of exploiting military personnel by recruiting them into a seminary program and funneling their Veterans Administration benefits into church-controlled accounts.
The church allegedly used predatory tactics to target service members near military bases, directing them to enroll in religious education programs they rarely completed.
Elaborate Scheme Targeted Veterans Near Military Bases
House of Prayer operated approximately 10-12 locations across five states, strategically placing churches near military installations for easier recruitment. The organization received over $23.5 million in veterans' education benefits across all locations.
Church members employed a technique called "soul winning" to specifically target and recruit military personnel into their programs. The veterans' tuition was paid through GI Bill benefits, which the church then allegedly misappropriated.
Federal prosecutors claim the church fraudulently obtained religious exemptions from Georgia regulators to operate two seminary locations. This exemption should have made them ineligible to receive federal education funds.
Church Leader's Controlling Tactics Revealed
Denis exercised extreme control over church members, arranging marriages and orchestrating divorces within the congregation. Members faced public humiliation for violations like texting someone of the opposite gender.
The church maintained a "traitors list" of former members and forbade current members from contacting them, even if they were family. This level of control extended to strict dress codes and behavioral standards.
Church leaders allegedly paid themselves through "expense reimbursements" and "love offerings" using the fraudulently obtained funds. The organization collected over $5.2 million in rent payments between 2018 and 2020.
Real Estate Fraud Scheme Uncovered
Prosecutors detailed a complex real estate fraud operation where the church used "straw buyers" to obtain mortgages through false information. The organization would then seize control of properties and convert them to rentals.
One example involved an unemployed church member identified as "J.E." who was directed to purchase a $115,000 property in Hinesville without providing any down payment. She never lived in or paid the mortgage on the property.
The rental income was allegedly used to pay mortgages on Denis' West Palm Beach home and other defendants' credit card bills. The FBI raid targeted Denis' 11,000-square-foot mansion featuring seven bedrooms and eight bathrooms.
Latest Developments In Ongoing Investigation
Federal investigators revealed that Denis may have stolen his identity in 1983 and used it to obtain U.S. citizenship in 2002. His real name remains unknown to authorities.
Steve Sadow, Denis' defense attorney, maintains his client's innocence, describing him as a "charismatic religious leader" respected by his congregation. Denis was granted bond on Thursday, with another hearing scheduled for next week.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about organizations targeting veterans' benefits and the need for increased oversight of religious institutions receiving federal funds. The investigation continues as authorities work to uncover the full scope of the alleged fraud scheme.
